RP's Mendoza, Benedicto in 1-3 duathlon finish at SEA Games

Ryan Mendoza was overwhelmed with joy after dominating the men's duathlon of the 24th Southeast Asian Games held in Pattaya, Thailand. It was a 1-3 finish for the Philippines as another Filipino, August Benedicto, bagged the bronze medal. The 31-year-old Mendoza, an airman first class in the Philippine Air Force, did not encounter much opposition in the seven-man field, as he won the dual race in runaway fashion in the outskirts Pattaya, according to a report from the Philippine delegation. "Ang saya po ng feeling," Mendoza said. "Nagbunga din po 'yung two-month training namin at nagpapasalamat po ako sa mga sumu-suporta sa duathlon, lalo na po 'yong Australian coach namin na ang daming binigay na strategy para manalo." Mendoza ran as fast as he could in the first 10 kilometers which he finished in 34.37 minutes, then struck mightily in the 40-kilometer bike event (1:02.34), before giving his all in the finishing five-kilometer run in 21:25 seconds. In all, Mendoza posted an aggregate time of 1:59.19, over the practically flat course, while Thailand bet Amnat Srichat failed to take advantage of his familiarity with the course, finishing far behind the Filipino. Srichat finished the race in 2:03:14. "Nung una, medyo nakiramdam ako, kasi hindi ako pwede mag-relax," Mendoza said. " Kaya yung first two kilometers ko ay parang trial lang, tapos nung medyo parang wala namang challenge, tinuloy-tuloy ko na sa last eight kilometers sa run." The race nearly ended up in a 1-2 finish for the Philippines, but Benedicto sputtered in the last 50 meters in front of the Ambassador Hotel, relinquishing the opportunity to eventual second placer Srichat. "Masaya na rin ako, dahil kahit papaano naka-bronze pa din. Ayos na rin ito dahil sa abot ng nakaya ko ay makakapag-uwi din ng medal," said Benedicto, who clocked in an 2:03.16. But in the women's event, Analiza Dysangco was not fortunate enough. She was struck by cramps in both legs in the bike event, but was able to limp home in 2:00.57, good for the bronze medal. Thailand's Saifon Piawong and Sontiya Saiwaeo finished 1-2. It was generally a big payoff for the RP duathletes who, along with triathletes, trained hard for two months in Phanga, Thailand, under Australian coaches Brett Satton and Rob Pickard and Filipino coach Melvin Fausto. "Nag pay off naman 'yung program namin na sinuportahan ng Philippine Sports Commission," coach Fausto said. "For two months, nasa TBB Camp kami dito sa Thailand, at hindi na nga kami umuwi, diretso na dito." - GMANews.TV